| In the days when pit fighting was an accepted | | | | and loyalty to its human family members. |
| "sport" in the country of Great Britain and later in | | | | The reputation of the breed has suffered due to the |
| America, Pitbulls of various origins were the dogs of | | | | close relationship both in appearance and |
| choice for this activity. | | | | temperament to the "Pitbull terrier", which has been |
| To a large extent, the original "bulldog" was one of | | | | labeled as a "vicious dog" in many municipalities and |
| the foundation breeds of dogs of this type. One of | | | | has even been banned or placed on the list of |
| the functions of the of the "bulldog" was to hang | | | | aggressive dogs by Insurance Companies, who will |
| onto the bull, to worry the bull and not let go once | | | | not even grant home ownership policies to persons |
| the dog bit. | | | | with this type of dog in their household. |
| Thus the jaws have great strength and power. | | | | Unfortunately most of these problems with |
| When the Pitbull became a part of the scene of | | | | aggression have been brought about by humankind. |
| fighting dogs, the function was that of fighting other | | | | Responsible owners are not as numerous as |
| dogs rather than the bull. | | | | irresponsible owners. As the Pitbull variety has |
| From these dogs descended the American | | | | developed in this country it has become a breed that |
| Staffordshire Terrier, bred to be a great fighting | | | | is much admired by teenage gang members as a |
| machine with punishing jaws and formidable strength | | | | "status symbol" and has been used also in illegal dog |
| but without viciousness. | | | | fighting. |
| The Amstaff, as it is known by the shortened | | | | Thus a great deal of over breeding has produced a |
| version of its name and its close cousin, the | | | | dog that can be a formidable fighting machine with |
| Staffordshire Bull Terrier, are both of the general | | | | little regard being paid to stability of temperament. |
| description of a dog that was bred to fight other | | | | The temperament of dogs is definitely an inherited |
| dogs. Blended into this function in the case of both of | | | | condition. All breeders should be aware of this fact. |
| these breeds was an admirable temperament that | | | | Irresponsible breeding combined with irresponsible |
| combined devotion to human family and gentleness | | | | ownership have contributed to this reputation. |
| with children. | | | | The American Staffordshire Terrier as seen in the |
| The dog makes an outstanding guard dog. When it is | | | | show ring is a dog that for the most part has been |
| a true Amstaff it will posses a stable temperament | | | | bred responsibly and will not exhibit the unstable |
| combining these qualities. | | | | temperament associated with the Pitbull. The general |
| The American Staffordshire Terrier was admitted to | | | | public is not aware of the differences between the |
| the registry of the American Kennel Club in 1972. | | | | true Amstaff and the Pitbull. The fact remains that |
| Since then it has become a dog that is quite popular | | | | the two breeds are separate and distinct. |
| in the show ring. It should have "punishing" jaws of | | | | However, this does not make a difference when |
| great strength, a muscular appearance, with a deep | | | | newspaper accounts of "pitbull attacks" are heavily |
| rib cage and a general appearance of great power. | | | | publicized. This problem is not going to go away and |
| The temperament however if bred correctly and if | | | | unfortunately it may become a possibility that the |
| trained responsibly should be that of courage and | | | | American Staffordshire Terrier will become a breed |
| strong guarding tendencies mixed with a devotion | | | | that will be banned also. |